General Gardening Discussion

Cheers dendy, I had forgotten that.

I've just bought some of these bulbs and this is part of the instructions on the packet "Cover in winter for strong frost for flowering next year". Does it mean that if I cover them I will get a strong frost? Seriously, would I be better staring them off in a cold greenhouse and plant out after...

Ta Windy - will look it up. Maybe I could keep it in a pot and just put it where I want it in the summer

Moonloon have you tried imageshack to resize.

I feel that flame throwers in this day and age should be avoided for all the non-green reasons and for the sake of the hundreds of bugs being killed which are beneficial too.

Thanks Dave for all the information on Strobilanthes. I've had the plant from a cutting for 7 years, and am glad to hear that the cuttings I took after it split are likely to do well. I have never seen it here, and yes it can look a bit straggly at times, but oh those leaves.Thanks also for...

Thanks badsal72 for your kind comments, a good idea as your plot tends to get swampy, you will find that the soil in your raised beds will drain much better and also warm up quicker in the Spring, the paths will enable you to continue to work on your plot even if the weather is poor, regards Steve.

I felt the same way about my back garden but eventually thought enough is enough and got some gardeners in... best decision i've made. I had quotes for �£5K but these guys did it for �£3K and made a top class job.Have you considered having a multi level garden and putting all that earth to...

Good morning! I wonder if anyone could give me some advice on feeding/caring for my pampas grass. It is planted in a container in a very exposed coastal location , its now 3 years old and this season's plumes have just appeared.I haven't really done anything in particular to it before apart from...

beginers luck PETE. NEVER SEEN THIS beauty before.

Hi Prastio ... love your avatar! Sorry, I can't answer your question but I do want to welcome you to GC!

you could use something like a fuchsia in the centre of the round pot, with trailing aubretia round it. 8" isn't very big, but if you use anything with a tallish stem, you can put traily things around it - but you need to feed and water well. For the trough type, how about a tallish plant in...

Fran, only the IoW from Plymouth and back!Sorry, DaveP, t'other half only stops for fuel along the way .... can't even have the cuppa with Marge that was offered! :(Thanks, Strongy, I've still got some of your seeds to incubate ... :D :D :D Will they be Stronlols or Lolstrongs or .......

I've not known them do it..... They were abundant in Hemel, not far from Fran - but I can't say I've seen little ones near the main bushes, so I guess not!

No, only to about 17 so far! It was fine last year. Have moved it from the one side of the outdoor living room to the other this year though, east rather than west facing.

Thats a good one Hornbeam, Its always much more satifying to bring on a half dead one, to flower. And its one thing that most orchids seem good at, coming back from the dead.

thanks for your fab suggestions all!BM - I have a large peony plant actually, it's under the pear tree and needs dividing so I will put a clump with the lupins. I really like that creeping dogwood - the leaves are like mini hostas! It will go perfectly.Honey Bee - well said, I must get some...

Primulas in bud and so are some narcissus - in September!! Very heavy rain last night put the lawn under water. Great flood swept down the hill, into my drive, poured into the garage where it rose to a depth of 2 feet. Greenhouse paving under water too, but luckily the heater is off the...

There is Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata)and Virginia creeper(P. quinquefolia). They have differing leaves, but are similar in habit, appearance and uses in the garden. The Boston Ivy usually has a palmate leaf ie hand like - bit like a vine (but this is variable - hence its old name P....

HelloSome Ivies can be very pretty. I have a sef-rooted Hedera hibernica (Irish Ivy) in the garden. Its a nightmare. I have dug it up so many times - and every time it grows back bigger and stronger. I have been trying to get rid of it now for 6 years. Therefore I don't like Ivies very...